Gesellschapt fur elektro-warme-technik



Patented Feb. 20, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILHELM PENZOLD, OF HANOVER, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO WIDERSTAND AKTIEN-GESELLSCHAFT FUR ELEKTRO-WARME-TECHNIK, OF HANOVER, GERMANY.

SYSTEM FOR ELECTRICALLY HEATING LIQUIDS.

Application filed August 5, 1922.

[0 all. whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VVILHELM PnNzoLn, a citizen of the German Republic,residing at Hanover, Germany, Viesenau 45, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Systems for Electrically Ieating Liquids, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in systems for electrically heatingliquids, and more particularly in systems of the type in which theliquid is heated by electric current flowing therethrough, and in whichthe liquid affords the heating resistance. One of the objects of theimprovements is to provide a system in which. the liquid provides a highresistance permitting the use of high pressure electric energy forproducing a limited heating effect. Another object is to provide asystem which with a long path of the electric current is compact inconstruction. Finally an object of the improvements is to provide asystem in which the resistance of the liquid can readily be varied. Withthese objects in view I have provided a heater comprising a series ofhollow members preferably concentrically arranged and having slits orholes in their side walls, the slit or hole in the side wall of onemember being disposed non-adjacent to the slit or hole in the nextmember. The hollow members are composed of insulating material and theheater is provided with an electrode arranged within the inner hollowmember and. an electrode surrounding the outer member and preferablyspaced therefrom, whereby the electrical current, flowing between saidelectrodes through the liquid which occupies the spaces between thewalls of said hollow members and the walls of the electrodes, iscompelled. to traverse a relatively long path. The hollow members arepreferably so mounted that they may be rotated relatively to oneanother. whereby the effective length of the current path may beadjusted.

In order that my invention be more clearly understood an exampleembodying the same has been shown in the accompanying drawing, in whichthe same letters of reference have been used in all the views toindicate corresponding parts. In said drawing,

Serial No. 579,950.

Fig. 1, is a vertical section of the apparatus, and

Fig. 2', is a horizontal section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

In the example shown in the drawing my improved system comprises aplurality of receptacles 7), c, and (Z of cylindrical form and eachhaving a bottom and a hole or slot 5 0 d which as shown extendsSubstantially over the whole length of the side wall of each receptacleto a point near the bottom thereof. The holes or slots of consecutivereceptacles are displaced with relation to each other at angles of 180.The diameters of the receptacles are such that between consecutivereceptacles annular chambers are provided. The outer receptacle d issurrounded by a metallic cylinder 6 providing one of the electrodes. Theother electrode consists of a cylinder a of thin sheet metal placedwithin the innermost receptacle 5. The receptacles b,- c and (Z are madefrom insulating material.

In the operation of the system the liquid to be heated is filled intothe receptacles and electric current is made to flow between theelectrodes, the path of the current be ing indicated in Fig. 2 in brokenlines.

Preferably the dimensions of the recep tacles are such that thecross-section of the annular chambers are alike, so that the resistanceof the liquid is the same in all the chambers. The resistance can beregulated. either by filling the water to a higher or lower level, or byturning one or more of the receptacles about their vertical axis forvarying the length of the path of the current, the length being at itsmaximum, in the position of the receptacles shown in the figures.

While I have shown only three receptacles Z), c, and (I, it will. beunderstood. that an suitable number may be provided. Thereby electriccurrent of high pressure can be used, and the liquid. can be formed intoa conductor of high resistance. The whole apparatus is compact inconstruction. On the electrodes practically no electric energy istransformed into heat, because .the contacting surfaces are large ascompared to the cross-section of the liquid.

Claims: 1. An electric heater comprising a plurality of hollowinsulating members of different sizes disposed in substantial coaxialrelation, one within the other, each member having an opening in itsside wall, and one or more of said members being rotatable relatively tothe other member or members, whereby the angular relation of the variousslits may be Varied, an electrode mounted within the inner hollow memberand an electrode surrounding the outer hollow member.

2. An electric heater coi'i'iprising a series of hollow insulatingmembers of increasing sizes, disposed in substantial coaxial relationone within the other, each of said members having a vertically disposedslit in its side wall and one or more of said members beingindependently rotatable, whereby the angular relations of the slits maybe varied,

ea ers ture.

/VILHELM PENZOLD.

